Professional learning events

Opportunities to explore and share good practice

PSTT offers professional learning opportunities for all educators, ranging from webinars to international conferences.

We encourage all class teachers, science subject leaders, student teachers and anyone with an interest in primary science education to join our events. Below you’ll find upcoming events and be able to catch up on past events. Be sure to stay informed with upcoming events by joining our mailing list.

If you have any questions about events shown below or would like to share ideas for future events, please get in touch here.

29 April, 16:00-17:30

The Equity Compass: A comprehensive tool to guide your equity practice

This course introduces the Equity Compass, a tool designed to help STEM educators and practitioners align their teaching with the principles of social justice and equity.

Despite early enthusiasm for STEM, participation often declines as students advance in their education, largely due to embedded inequalities within STEM programmes. The Equity Compass addresses these challenges by offering eight practical dimensions to guide educators in creating more equitable learning experiences.

Presenting this webinar will be Dr Meghna Nag Chowdhuri, research fellow at IOE, UCL, specialises in educational inequalities in STEM. She leads international projects on equitable learning practices and STEM education reform.

Learn more & register here

6 May – 8 July, 16:00–16:45

Enquiry types webinar series

This five-part webinar series supports teachers at all career stages in developing a deeper understanding of enquiry types and how to teach them effectively across the primary age range, including early years. Whether you are new to teaching, moving year groups or looking to strengthen your approach, this series provides practical guidance and classroom examples.

This series covers observation and observing over time, identifying classifying and grouping, pattern seeking, comparative and fair testing and research. A discount will be applied when booking the full series. Sessions are recorded and available to registered attendees.

Learn more & register here

14 May: Different approaches to moderation

Primary science leadership webinar series

Our six-part webinar series is in full swing! This webinar series is designed to support science leaders with the key aspects of primary science leadership. Over the course of the year, half-termly sessions will cover the following essential topics needed for leadership: curriculum coverage, managing assessment, monitoring, and reviewing impact in science education.

Four webinars have already taken place, but there’s still time to take part in the full series or select sessions most relevant to you. The first webinar is free to watch below, and recordings of past sessions are available for purchase.

Learn more & register here

educators working on assignments given during a professional development course

11 June, 16:00–17:00

Thinking, Doing, Talking Science - Taster Session - Bright Ideas Time

Join us for a free online session focused on Bright Ideas Time – a key part of the Thinking, Doing, Talking Science (TDTScience) approach.

Bright Ideas Time is a short discussion at the start of a science lesson that encourages children to share their thinking and talk about their ideas. It can be used with any primary science curriculum or scheme of work.

During the session, we will:

look at what we mean by higher-order thinking
try out some Bright Ideas Time techniques
consider how it might support classroom discussion and show progression over time

This event is free to attend and open to all primary educators.

Learn more & register here

1 July, 12:30-16:00 at Ness Botanic Gardens

Northwest science conference: Igniting creativity in primary science

We’re hosting an afternoon of creative and inspiring professional learning for all primary educators. Discover how art, stories and the outdoors can support science teaching across the primary curriculum.

PSTT science experts will lead two workshops: the first introduces creativity in science through art-based approaches using Sketchbook Science and Explorify’s Start with Art; the second, held outdoors, explores teaching science through engaging texts, including poems, non-fiction and stories.

Activities shared will span from Early Years to Key Stage 2, offering fresh ideas for using natural environments and creative strategies to enrich science learning in your setting.

Groups of adults kneel and crouch on grass in an outdoor workshop setting, exploring natural materials like sticks and twigs. They appear engaged and collaborative, surrounded by greenery and trees on a sunny day

Watch here